Sides to Learn How to Negotiate Civilly

Representatives of about 900 secretaries, clerks and other Simi Valley school employees will soon begin contract negotiations with district officials after both sides complete a workshop that teaches them how to negotiate cordially.

The negotiators will then come to the table with a new method of negotiating, called “interest-based bargaining.”

“It’s more collegial and less adversarial or positional,” said Simi Valley Unified School District Supt. Mary Beth Wolford. “Both sides state their interests and we try to move together so both parties’ needs are met. You don’t start from a hard position.”

Wolford said she is anxious to get the process underway and to reach a contract agreement with employees.

“I assure you this is a very high priority for me,” Wolford said.

Late last year, the school district finally resolved bitter negotiations with teachers, who had formed picket lines outside schools and threatened to strike until an agreement was reached. Classified employees, who include workers who are not teachers or managers in the district, have been working without a contract since last summer.